The Boeing Co. crossed another important milestone off its list today as the company moves toward delivering its first 787 Dreamliner later this year.
Boeing called the “ultimate load” tests it performed on the new jet’s wings and fuselage a success today.
“Successfully completing this test is a critical step in the certification of the 787,” said Scott Fancher, general manager of the 787 program, in a statement. “This is further validation that the 787 performs as expected, even in the most extreme circumstances.”
In late March, Boeing had put enough pressure on the wing of its 787 to replicate 150 percent of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service. The 787 test plane’s wing was flexed 25 feet upward. Since then, Boeing engineers have been studying the results of the test.
“The airframe performed as designed and retained the required structural integrity. These results continue to validate the design of the 787 as we move toward certification,” Fancher said.
Boeing has been waiting on the type inspection authorization, which will allow the company to bring regulators from the Federal Aviation Administration to accompany test pilots on 787 flights, an important step toward certification.
Boeing aims to obtain FAA approval on its new 787 later this year, allowing the company to deliver its first Dreamliner to Japan’s All Nippon Airways by year’s end.
Boeing explains the wing test in this video
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